Real Brownfields Deserve Dollars I
read with interest the story on Brownfield development dollars in the
July 20 issue. I applaud Dan Lathrop and other county commissioners who
voted “No” on the Randolph Street project...

Hopping Mad Carlin
Smith is hopping mad (“Will You Get Mad With Me?” 7-20-15). Somebody
filed a fraudulent return using his identity, and he’s not alone. The AP
estimates the government “pays more than $5 billion annually in
fraudulent tax refunds.” Well, many of us have been
hopping mad for years. This is because the number one tool Congress has
used to fix this problem has been to cut the IRS budget –by $1.2 billion
in the last 5 years...

Just Grumbling, No Solutions Mark
Pontoni’s grumblings [recent Northern Express column] tell us much
about him and virtually nothing about those he chooses to denigrate. We
do learn that Pontoni may be the perfect political candidate. He’s
arrogant, opinionated and obviously dimwitted...

A Racist Symbol I
have to respond to Gordon Lee Dean’s letter claiming that the
confederate battle flag is just a symbol of southern heritage and should
not be banned from state displays. The heritage it represents was the
treasonous effort to continue slavery by seceding from a democratic
nation unwilling to maintain such a consummate evil...

Not So Thanks I
would like to thank the individual who ran into and knocked over my
Triumph motorcycle while it was parked at Lowe’s in TC on Friday the
24th. The $3,000 worth of damage was greatly appreciated. The big dent
in the gas tank under the completely destroyed chrome badge was an
especially nice touch...

Reflections of 9/11: Area citizens recall the attack on America

Begin forwarded message:Area citizens recall the attack on AmericaBy Erin CrowellI was 17 years old in my high school drama class, blindfolded andawkwardly navigating the auditorium by voice of a classmate. It was one ofmany activities created by our teacher meant to exercise communication,reliance and the hope our partner wouldnt lead us into a chair or brickwall.Blind trust, I like to call it today.A cafeteria worker came into the auditorium, whispered to our teacher whothen quietly instructed us to go back to the classroom without explanationof why.In the hallway, the same image flashed in intervals with each passing of aclassroom, the eyes of students and staff glued to the televisions, seeingthe same tower capped in billowing smoke against a brilliantly blue sky.I dont need to tell you more because you know what happened afterward.You saw it, too; and if you didnt, you saw it later that day or week. Youshared your learning of that event with others who did the same  whereyou were, who you were with, how you felt.Despite the miles between Northern Michigan and New York City,Shanksville, Pennsylvania and Arlington, Virginia, the events of September11, 2001 remain engrained in our memories.The Express interviewed a handful of community members who shared theirreflections on that day and what it means to them now.

CHRIS ANDERSONPILOT OF 24-YEARS EXPERIENCEAs a resident of Traverse City since 2002, Chris Anderson was at his homein Pittsburgh, PA (just 81 miles from where United 93 crashed into afield) during the time of the attacks. As a pilot for World Airways,Anderson was between trips flying U.S. troops in and out of Bosnia.

Northern Express: How did you see those days events unfold?Anderson: I was watching an interview on CNBC when the host interruptedthe guest showing a distant view of the WTC on fire The second plane flewinto the south tower and then (I thought) it was certainly a terroristattack; and for some reason I also had a feeling it wasnt over... within30 minutes there was news of the other aircraft.About an hour later the media reported that United 93 was notcommunicating with air traffic control and was flying the wrong direction.It turned toward Washington DC near Cleveland, Ohio. I knew the linebetween the two points would be very near Pittsburgh, and in fact it was.The local news station in Pittsburgh was the first in the country toreport a crash in the mountains near Shanksville, PA.I finally couldnt take the imagery on TV any more. I walked out into myyard and heard F16 fighters flying all around the area... in wide circles.It was truly a disturbing sight.

NE: What effects did you feel from that day?Anderson: Being that I fly military troops around the world for a living Iknew that I was going to be very busy for a long time to come.My company, World Airways, committed all its aircraft to flying troops 350 troops at a time. In just a few weeks our operation was geared up tomeet the demand. Other airlines did the same.The troops I flew initially were very motivated and excited and werecheering on takeoff and landing; but as the years rolled on, the cheeringhas stopped completely. They are now very stressed after multipledeployments and we have distressed/panic attack problems quite often.

DEREK BAILEY, TRIBAL CHAIRMANGRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANSSeptember 11 was a blow to the whole world, especially to the SovereignNations of our home soil.

Northern Express: How did those events unfold for you?Bailey: At the time, I was working at the Behavioral Health Departmentwith the Grand Traverse Band. We were in a room interviewing an elder withthe tribea Vietnam veteranwhen Jack Chambers, our medicine man, brokeinto the office and said, Were under attack; and boy, we stopped rightthere, turned on the television and sat there watching the events unfold.NE: What were your initial thoughts?Bailey: Immediately I thought about the fact that this was an attack onthe American people on our soil. We were just standing there speechlessthinking, is this happening? It was a moment that was collectively sharedin that room and throughout America; and everyone was drawn to thatmoment.NE: How did that moment change for the tribe?Bailey: We heightened the safety training of our tribalcitizenship simulated exercise in case a terrorist or chemical attack wasto happen. At one point our tribe did receive a bomb threat on tribalproperty.NE: Would you say this event has made us more wary?Bailey: Id say yes. You have to. A lot of that is decided by ourenvironment, who makes it up and what surrounds us. Im more aware of whois in my vicinity, especially as a traveler; and 9/11 brought that to theforefront.NE: What did that day mean to you, personally?Bailey: It was interviewing a female Vietnam veteran at the time and had aMarine Corps Vietnam veteran come in then watching the events unfold withthem. The Grand Traverse Band, the council and tribal citizens, we willalways support and recognize those who have served and those who continueto make sacrifices for U.S. citizens and the rights we hold. To them, wesay, miigwetch, which means thank you.

CHIEF PATRICK PARKER & CAPTAIN TONY POSEY,GRAND TRAVERSE METRO FIRE DEPARTMENTLike most firefighters around the country, Grand Traverse Metro FireDepartment Chief Patrick Parker felt helpless while hundreds offirefighters and rescue workers perished in the rubble of the World TradeCenter. With 17 years experience under his belt at GT Metro, Parker couldonly watch as rescue efforts continued for weeks.Meanwhile, 16-year-old Tony Posey was in his high school economics classat Traverse City Central when the first plane hit the North Tower of theWorld Trade Center. Little did either firefighter know at the time thatthey would bring a piece of that tower back to Northern Michigan.

Northern Express: Tony, you were one of three firefighters who drove toNew York City to retrieve the 3,200 lb. piece of steel beam that will beused as a permanent 9/11 memorial in Traverse City. How did you get thatopportunity?Posey: Chief Parker started the process about a year and a half ago. Itold him if anything comes through, Id be interested in being a part ofit, whether that meant helping build a monument or picking up the piece.I was fortunate enough to go out to New York City two years ago for aclass and was able to meet some of the firefighters that were there thatday. Once we found out we were getting a 3,200 lb. piece of steel I toldhim I was interested in getting it and he gave me the go-ahead. It wasmyself, Kyle Chutewho is a high school friendand Scott Allman.

NE: What was that experience like?Posey: There were about 100 people who showed up at the (JFK Airport)hangar who were picking up pieces of steel, which ranged from 100 poundsto 100-foot-long beams. There was a motorcycle group of retired FDNYfirefighters. Seeing how emotional they were, we thought, We shouldnt behere. We shouldnt be leaving New York with this. But just after thatsame time, a member of the motorcycle group came up to us and said,  Wedont want all this to just be sitting here. We want these pieces spreadout throughout the U.S. We want people to remember.

NE: Patrick, what was your reaction to that days events?Parker: I wanted to help, but felt helpless. That happened to a lot ofpeople in our department. They showed up, ready for action and service ifthey were needed; but we just stressed that our people needed to stay inTC. The State of Police said the same thing to their people. Some did goto Ground Zero, but only because it was by invite and it was a coordinatedevent. There was just already so much help being offered from all over thecountry.

NE: What was the atmosphere like afterward in the firefighter community?Parker: There was a lot of camaraderie and feelings that we are going tostick together during this thing. There was no greater time in ourcountry, at least in recent years, where the public just thought the worldof EMS, police and firefighters. It was at the height of appreciation.Unfortunately, its almost like there needs to be a disaster in order toheighten that kind of awareness.

NE: When the North Tower piece came to Traverse City in April, what wasthe welcoming ceremony for the memorial like? Parker: There was a lot of introspective that day about what happened,memories. At least for me it brought back the knowledge that ourcountry got kicked down temporarily but showed how resilient we are andthat we moved on forward and didnt let this moment slow us down.

JULIE NEPH, ENGINEER WITH THE MACKINAC BRIDGE AUTHORITY

It was another day in the office when Julie Neph, an engineer of 19 yearswith the Mackinac Bridge Authority, learned about the attacks. While thebridge connecting the Peninsulas remained open, 9/11 stepped up security.

NE: How did you find out?Neph: I was walking to our maintenance building, which we call the shop,and saw the small TV that a couple of guys were standing around. Theywaved me over and said, Come take a look at this. It was a live newsfeed of the North Tower with smoke coming out and then as we werewatching, a second plane suddenly hit.

NE: At that time, did you fear the Mackinac Bridge would be a target?Neph: I guess subconsciously because we have these towers and its out inthe open; but being that were so far from New York and what was going on,that kind of set me at ease.

NE: What was the engineer in you thinking when you saw the Twin Towerscollapse?Neph: While they were standing I was wondering how a building couldwithstand such a hit; but at the same time, I wasnt expecting it tocollapse either. I figured once it was hit and still standing that theywould have been fine. Of course, I didnt realize at the time the fireshappening inside the buildings, which is what caused them to collapse.

NE: Did it change security for the bridge?Neph: Well, we were already stepping up our security and had things in theworks to increase that security; but when the attacks happened, it trulymade us realize how necessary it was. We put new security measures inplace and are better prepared; but then again, you never know untilsomething so tragic happens.